The HeartWay Training: Embracing Life by Honoring Death
What does an end-of-life doula training program look and feel like?
Thank you Janice Polucha, who was awarded a partial scholarship by the Global Doula Project to attend The HeartWay’s End-of-Life Practitioner training, for sharing these pictures with us. The HeartWay is a nonprofit organization dedicated to embracing life by honoring death. Located in California and led by Dr. Andrea Deerheart, The HeartWay offers training as well as support at the end of life for the dying and their families (at no cost to families). This organization is one of the Global Doula Project 2023 grant recipients, receiving $1000 USD in funding, and we are proud to support their mission of serving all families, regardless of their ability to pay.
This End-of-Life Practitioner training (death doula training) is an in-depth training and takes place over the course of 12 months both online and in person. Students explore the physical, emotional, and spiritual dimensions of death and dying.
The students learn specifically how to support individuals and families through the end-of-life process.
Janice says, “We did a deep dive into death in regards to cultural and religious backgrounds, age related psychological/emotional responses to death and dying, and how to best advocate for the quality of an individuals experience. There was a lot of self-reflection and writing involved, as well as copious amounts of reading, watching documentaries, and discussions with break out groups during zoom classes.”
Janice told me that there were many highlights to the course. Students brought a special item to place on the altar during the in-person retreat. There was time to reflect, practice yoga, and connect with nature.
One practical highlight was when Integrative oncologist Daniel Vicario of San Diego came to speak about cancer treatments and what cancer patients experience with different medications. Dr. Vacario lectured about the physical body's dying process, western medicine, alternative and complimentary therapies, pain control, and the high need for compassionate presence in response to terminal illness and dying.
Janice recommends this training and has generously shared these wonderful pictures. Thank you also to Dr. Deerheart and all of the students who have allowed us to take a glimpse into their quite personal journeys of learning.
The Global Doula Project is proud to support aspiring doulas. We need more doulas in the world both at the beginning and the end of life.
Janice shares: There was a field trip to a local mortuary where we learned about the embalming process.
The local mortuary gave us a cardboard box (that can really be used as a coffin). We decorated it over the course of a few days.
Yoga nidra guided imagery for end of life.
Dr. Deerheart showed us how to handle a body after the person has passed away. It’s possible to put a rolled up cloth under the chin so that the mouth will stay closed. We also learned how to wash and move the body.
A field trip to the local creek where we connected with nature.
